Connecticut Hydroponics in the news

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy toured an East Hartford farm that received a grant to recover from severe storm damage. (Picture courtesy of governor’s Twitter account)

A lettuce farmer in East Hartford is once again thriving after losing his whole crop during Blizzard Charlotte after receiving a state grant helped him start growing again.

At any given time, 14,000 heads of lettuce are being grown hydroponically at the Connecticut Hydroponic Farm.

In February, the Connecticut Hydroponic Farm was wiped out. The severe snow storm damaged all five greenhouses including one of them completely. The storm caused about $2,000 worth of damage.

“It destroyed the crops in the house,” said Steve Weinstein, who owns the farm. “It made it so we were unable to grow until late May.”

Weinstein said a $79,000 state grant got him up and running.

The grant was important because it got the business going quickly. Otherwise, it would have taken months. The grant allowed Weinstein to continue competing with Canada, which is one of the largest producers of hydroponic lettuce.

“When he was not in full production, the product was being bought in Canada and elsewhere,” said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. “I would rather that money be spent in Connecticut.”

It’s a growing business, literally. It’s environmentally-friendly. Plants grow all year-round and a head can last a few weeks in your refrigerator.

Nearly $5 million has been given in plant grants to 239 agricultural businesses. The money that helps keep local farmers in business.